Two St Albans photographers have snapped up prestigious Licentiate titles with the Master Photographers Association.

The qualification is notorious for being one of the hardest awards to receive within the photographic profession, and it takes a great deal of time, hard work and dedication to their art for photographers to reach this level.

Candidates must provide a panel of exceptional photographs, which are reviewed by five well respected fellows of the industry and judged on composition, control, lighting and technical competence.

They must also submit an extensive profile about their work and business practises. This document must highlight the health and safety elements that need to be understood when dealing with the public as well as the professional insurances that protect the public.

Nevina Holland was recognised for her photographic series of children and newborns.

A successful photographer, business woman and mum of two, Nevina founded her business, Peekaboo Studios, in 2010. She chose to specialise in the photography of children and newborns because she wanted to capture their innocence in her own professional, home studio.

Nevina’s expertise in the field has recently inspired a joint venture with the private pregnancy clinic, Womb With A View, in Old Hatfield, as their exclusive newborn photographer.

She saud: “I am so proud of my MPA Licentiate achievement. I am more than a photographer now, I am a Master Photographer. Only qualified photographers are permitted to display certain letters after their name highlighting their success. Nevina Holland LMPA, I kind of like the sound of that.”

Nevina provides a relaxed, professional photo shoot in her home studio, photographing children of all ages. She said: “Being a mum myself, I understand that patience is key as children and babies can be unpredictable. My aim is to draw out the true inner essence of each child through creative fun and colourful play.”

Ray Lowe, chairman of the MPA and Nevina’s mentor, said: “Nevina’s was the strongest panel of child portraiture I have seen for a very long time. Nevina will be one of the bright lights in our industry of the future.”

Fellow Master Photographer Daniel Adams began his early career teaching adults and children with special needs, but in 2013 a horrific sporting accident left him with extensive injuries to his leg including a dislocated knee socket, four snapped ligaments and a split shin bone.

Facing the prospect of amputation and lifelong pain, Daniel took advantage of his bed rest by practicing his favourite hobby, photography, and after an 18-month recovery period, eventually completed his first level accreditation with the MPA this year.

Daniel said: “I wanted to become more than just a hobby photographer - the journey has been rough between operations, my wife and kids, but I have really pushed myself to gain the knowledge needed to get to where I am today.”

With a successful St Albans wedding photography business now under his belt and swathes of happy clients, Daniel describes his style as “less formulaic and more free-flowing” and his clientele have agreed, with compliments such as “magnificent” and “expert”. He added: “I no longer take life for granted.”

Recently we, as a family (minus two of the kids), visited The Lodge RSPB reserve in Sandy, Bedfordshire. I had never been before, which is perhaps amiss of me as a birdwatcher as it is the headquarters of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds or RSPB and only 45 minutes drive from home.